Advanced electrochemical concepts for NASA applications

A Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) survey of 23 electrochemical systems for space applications in which experts from universities, industry, and government participated is discussed. They recommended achievable specific energy for these systems and forecast the likelihood of their development of these systems by the year 1995, 2000, and 2005. The highest ranked systems for operation in planetary inner-orbit spacecraft included Na/beta-double prime-alumina/Z, where Z = S, FeCl2 or NiCl2, the upper plateau Li(Al)/FeS2 system, and the H2/O2 alkaline regenerative fuel cell. The achievable specific energy for these as operational batteries was estimated to be 130, 180 and 100 Wh/kg, respectively. For planetary outer-orbit and small geosynchronous (GEO) spacecraft Li/TiS2 (estimated 90 Wh/kg) was the choice.